United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Definition

The OHCHR is a department within the United Nations that works to promote and protect the human rights that are guaranteed under international law. It engages in activities ranging from providing support to other UN programs on human rights issues, to addressing and investigating violations of those rights globally.

Related terms

Civil Rights:

Rights granted by governments ensuring individuals' freedom from discrimination and equal participation in political life.

Humanitarian Intervention:

A state's use of military force against another state to prevent or end violations of human rights without the permission of the state being intervened upon.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

A 1948 document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly that outlines fundamental human rights to be universally protected